A police cadet in Napoleon, OH, was critically injured after being accidentally shot in the back by one of his classmates on a shooting range, reports the Toledo Blade .
Ohio Police Cadet Injured in Gun-Training Shooting
A police cadet in Napoleon, OH, was critically injured after being accidentally shot in the back by one of his classmates on a shooting range.
April 7, 2016
"[The shooter] was very, very, very emotional and upset," Henry County Sheriff Michael Bodenbender said Wednesday. "He was very distraught."
The victim of the shooting, which occurred at a city-owned firing range Tuesday night, is expected to survive, Sheriff Bodenbender said.
The unidentified male victim was in critical condition at Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center, where he was flown from Henry County Hospital.
"There were at least three firearms instructors there. My understanding is they were on break during the time it happened," Sheriff Bodenbender said. "All the indications we have is that it was an accident. We have not spoken to the victim yet. But the rest of the cadets and instructors that were there, that's the impression that we got — that it was an accident."
The shooter was either cleaning or oiling his gun, said Sheriff Bodenbender, and thought the firearm was empty when it discharged, striking the victim, who was sitting at a picnic table.
The sheriff said he does not expect any charges will be filed. The victim was shot with a 9mm handgun.
More Training
Sponsored•October 27, 2025
How One Police Department Cut Crime by 46% with Smarter Patrol Management
Discover how one police department cut crime nearly in half using smarter patrol data. This whitepaper breaks down the real-world strategy behind a 46% drop in vehicle thefts, improved officer safety, and stronger community visibility.
Read More →
When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer Instead of Waiting for EMS?
Thumbnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips with a yellow headline that reads When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer Instead of Waiting for EMS?
Read More →
Is Your Duty Holster Duty Rated?
The first – and worst – time I had to fight to keep my gun, my holster and duty belt held up far better than my training did.
Read More →
Sponsored•October 7, 2025
Beyond the Plate: Real-Time Video Intelligence for Police Operations
Join us for an inside look at how agencies are enhancing frontline decision-making with visual intelligence that goes beyond the plate. This session will show how pairing LPR data with live camera feeds delivers faster, safer, and more coordinated responses—on everything from stolen vehicles to active BOLOs.
Read More →
Coffee Break with Police Experts: Using Your Patrol Vehicle for Cover
In this video, hear from Dustin Mowery, a product specialist at Team Wendy, as he discusses how to best use a patrol vehicle for cover.
Read More →
Sponsored•September 1, 2025
Ebook: How Data-Driven Policing Strengthens Transparency and Public Trust
Whether your department is focused on improving transparency or rebuilding community confidence, this ebook offers real examples and practical strategies to help. Learn how data-driven insights and modern fleet technologies can strengthen accountability, support officer safety, and enhance public trust.
Read More →
Using Patrol Vehicles for Cover
While a patrol vehicle offers some cover protection when taking fire, remain mobile and don’t stick to one piece of cover indefinitely. Dustin Mowery, of Team Wendy, shares what he teaches about using vehicles as cover.
Read More →
San Francisco Police Recruit Dies in Training
Recruit Officer Jon-Marques Psalms, 30, reportedly suffered a medical emergency after completing a training exercise on Wednesday August 20, 2025, at the Academy.
Read More →POLICE and Flock Safety Present Webinar on Combining LPR with Real-Time Video
The webinar titled “Beyond the Plate: Real-Time Video Intelligence for Police Operations” will show how pairing LPR data with live camera feeds delivers faster, safer, and more coordinated responses on everything from stolen vehicles to active BOLOs.
Read More →